It's been a great year for rookie quarterbacks. Indianapolis Colts first overall pick Andrew Luck has some hot competition for who's the best from an outstanding 2012 draft class. But there's no question he's overcome the greatest degree of difficulty to post the best record of the bunch (8-4) through 12 games.

Luck went into Sunday's matchup in Detroit with four touchdown passes, 10 interceptions and a 65.5 passer rating through his first six career road games. He looked like he was headed to his fourth loss away from Lucas Oil Stadium after he threw three interceptions against the Lions and his team faced a 33-21 deficit midway through the fourth quarter. Luck came out of it as playoff-ready quarterback.

He was unrattled, first firing a 42-yard TD to wide receiver LaVon Brazill and then calmly completing the comeback with a heads-up flip to wide receiver Donnie Avery for a 14-yard TD at the gun.

What he did in the final 8:41 to carry the Colts to a 35-33 last-gasp victory—on another day when there was little help from the defense—wasn't the "next step" of his maturity. It was just more of an indication that despite his inexperience, Luck is already is built like the veteran leader that Indianapolis enjoyed for so many years at the position.

Luck has needed to lift his team in many ways and hasn't once shown the pressure of replacing a legend such as Peyton Manning. With his rookie coach, Chuck Pagano, sidelined by leukemia, Luck needed to be in sync with offensive coordinator Bruce Arians in both handling the playbook and rallying the players.

The Colts, whose rebuilding process has quickly turned into a reloaded playoff run, were wise to keep some established leaders, most notably wide receiver Reggie Wayne. But then you consider some of the other key players directly around Luck, and he's the guy on whom they lean.

But consider both Griffin (Mike Shanahan) and Wilson (Pete Carroll) went to experienced coaches who've been to the playoffs. Both Griffin and Wilson also have been helped by a strong traditional running game, something the Colts haven't quite had this season.

Luck will be the first to tell you that he was far from perfect on Sunday, even though he played like an elite quarterback when it counted the most. Many rookies would fold after making the mistakes he made, instead of using it as motivation to come back stronger.

"I feel there is somewhat of an owning up on you when you throw two, three picks or miss open guys," Luck said. "I'm thankful just to have a chance to go back out there to try and win the game."

The Colts should be very thankful and very fortunate that for the second time, they've landed a once-in-a-lifetime quarterback.

Mining the 49ers' quarterback drama

So who will be Jim Harbaugh's choice to start at quarterback in the San Francisco 49ers' Week 14 game against Miami? All bets are off after they lost 16-13 in overtime at St. Louis with Colin Kaepernick at the helm.

Kaepernick (21-of-32, 208 yards passing, nine carries, 84 yards rushing) had his moments, including some impressive throws on the move and a jaw-dropping 50-yard scramble. But he didn't produce a touchdown pass or run and had a turnover on an ill-advised lateral fumble that resulted in a Rams touchdown. Bottom line: The offense he led didn't score enough to win.

Did the coach see enough from Kaepernick to be confident in sticking with him? Or will he have second thoughts about going back to the more efficient but less dynamic Alex Smith?

You can bet Harbaugh will drag out the decision through midweek again, but it's hard to see the hard-nosed Harbaugh going back to Smith so quickly.

What might help Kaepernick get a mulligan is that the offensive line and running back Frank Gore had worse games than he did. Penalties (11 for 97 yards) also played a big part. The Niners should feel confident they can beat the Dolphins at Candlestick, regardless of who's under center. If it's still Kaepernick, he'll need to play very well to ensure he'll get a shot against the Patriots on the road.

Awards watch

The performances of Luck and Wilson put some more heat on Griffin in the race for offensive rookie of the year. Manning is doing his best to hold off Vikings running back Adrian Peterson for MVP. But the most intriguing battle may be defensive player of the year, where it's down to three second-year studs.

The leader is Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who turned his first career interception into a 26-yard touchdown return in Denver's 31-23 win over Tampa Bay. He also added a sack of Josh Freeman to push his total to 15. The former leader, Texans end J.J. Watt, isn't going away, however. He also had a sack, bringing his total to 15 1/2, another forced fumble and a pass breakup in Houston's 24-10 win at Tennessee.

Don't sleep on the 49ers' Aldon Smith, however. He kept his red-hot sack streak alive with one at St. Louis and owns the league lead at 17 1/2. If he can break Michael Strahan's single-season record with 5 1/2 more in the final four games, he can steal the DPOY from Miller and Watt.

Injury update

Bears LB Brian Urlacher (hamstring). It was a brutal day for Chicago's defense, which saw multiple players get banged up as the Seahawks rallied for an overtime win at Soldier Field. The Bears can only hope the 34-year-old Urlacher won't be missing from the core of their front seven for the stretch run.

Bears CB Tim Jennings (shoulder). Jennings would be an equally big loss, given his prowess as a ballhawk. He came into the Seattle game with a league-high eight interceptions, so Chicago would lose a big piece of its takeaway ability if he can't play.

Packers WR Jordy Nelson (hamstring). Nelson can't seem to shake this nagging injury, which caused him to depart early on Sunday. On the plus side, Green Bay has Greg Jennings back, though it might take him a couple of weeks to return to form.

Dolphins LT Jake Long (triceps). Long hasn't had the best of years in front of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill, and this injury just adds to his slide from the elite ranks.

Steelers CB Ike Taylor (leg). Pittsburgh's physical veteran corner has had some issues in coverage this season, but if he's out of the lineup, opponents will become more aggressive in throwing outside.